10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,206 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 GMC Terrain seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2011 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Jun 202022

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The service airbag warning light came on in the vehicle last week. I took the car to be serviced. Per service advisor, the passenger side seat air bag was out of spec. Air bag wire had to be repaired. The new wire would be available for inspection upon request. The safety of passengers in the car were at risk since the air bag had to be fixed.

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #24

May 152019

Terrain

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently while driving at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to hendrick southpoint auto mall located at (127 kentington dr, durham, nc 27713) where the vehicle was diagnosed with fractured wires underneath the driver seat. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #23

Mar 012019

Terrain

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, a second vehicle crashed into the front drivers side of the vehicle. Moments later flames were present coming from under the hood and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The doors were locked and would not unlock. The rear driver side door was kick open and the front passenger door pulled opened which allowed the occupants to exit. Also during the incident the side air bags did not properly deflate after deployment. The driver sustained neck, back and shoulder injuries. The front passenger sustained injuries to the lumbar spine and hip and the rear seat passenger sustained a bruised sternum. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Baden, PA, USA

problem #22

Mar 012018

Terrain

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The airbag readiness light is illuminated and "service air bag" message is displayed. There have been recalls for this on 2011 GMC Terrains but when I looked it up it says my vehicle isn't covered in the recall. I'm pretty sure that this, in combination with the takata air bag recall, has affected more gmcs than the company cares to admit. This recall should be extended to all 2011 GMC Terrains. The service air bag light and air bag warning bell constantly come on while I'm driving my car. It comes on when I start the car and continues to go on and off the entire time I'm driving.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #21

Jan 232019

Terrain

  • 90,000 miles
Airbag light came on at 125K miles. Known problem on this year/make/model is airbag sensor on passenger side. 90K miles timing chain replaced. 154K miles timing chain broke 3 qrts of oil needed every 2K miles 154K miles transmission leaking fluid 100K miles catalytic converter needed replaced 125K miles downstream air sensor needed replaced 150K miles upstream air sensor needed replaced solenoids need replaced every 50K miles

- Madison, OH, USA

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problem #20

Jan 042019

Terrain

  • 130,000 miles
My 2011 GMC Terrain hit a vehicle in front, causing major damage (the vehicle is totaled out) and no air bags deployed. My vehicle was traveling at approximately 55 mph northbound in the #3 lane of the 41 freeway, South of the shaw exit. Impact was estimated to be between 20 to 30 mph. The driver, my 18 year grand-daughter hit her head on the steering wheel and her left wrist was injured holding on to the steering wheel. The 18 year old female right front seat passenger suffered an ankle injury. Why did the air bags fail to deploy, with a straight on front end collision with the vehicle in front?! unacceptable!!!

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #19

Jul 092018

Terrain

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Aig bag warning indicator light comes on during humid conditions.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #18

Apr 072017

Terrain

  • 84,000 miles
While driving on 77 South in charlotte getting on the brookshire freeway. Going with the flow of traffic. It was a left merge and the side air bags went off. There was no debris in the road and nothing was hit.

- Matthews, NC, USA

problem #17

Apr 252017

Terrain

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving 25 mph, the passenger side air bag warning sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the OCS needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #16

Mar 122016

Terrain

  • 77,264 miles
Takata recall? on March 12, my wife and I were in a collision with another vehicle. We were on a city street in tulsa, Oklahoma when we rearended another vehicle. It was a fairly minor accident at less than 40 mph, but my wife sustained severe injuries to her right eye and both arms. She broke the major bone in both of her arms right above the wrist area, and her right eye was lacerated and exploded from the socket. She has been through numerous surgeries for her eye and arms. She is currently blind in her right eye. Her seatbelt did not restain her from coming forward, and we still do not know what hit her in the eye. All of the airbags in the car exploded, and we believe that this might have caused her eye injury, but we are unsure as to why her seatbelt would have not restrained her from what caused the injuries to her arms and eye.

- Bartlesville, OK, USA

problem #15

Jan 152016

Terrain

  • 62,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving 55 mph, the contact fell asleep crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the spine, which required medical attention. There were no injuries sustained to the driver of the other vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- Stover, MO, USA

problem #14

Nov 122015

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact crashed into the side of another vehicle that veered into the contact's lane. The air bags failed to deploy. There were minor injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.......updated 04/01/16

- Butler, GA, USA

problem #13

Jul 102015

Terrain

  • 75,000 miles
I had purhased a 2011 GMC terrian and have gotten three letters saying don't bring in to dealer until the problems happen one side -impact circuit cause-airbag-readiness light illuminate and the service air bag message to display. GMC extened the protection for 10 years or 120,000 miles. The second that was sent the steering same protection and the third letter for oil consumption which it is doing now. This not safe for my wife and me or the any other passengers. What is your addvismentfor me.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #12

Apr 152015

Terrain

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated repeatedly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic inflator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #11

Mar 162015

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
I was pulling into a parking spot on Monday night and just brushed the curb with the front passenger tire. After I came to a stop, the side airbags deployed. The service stabilitrak light comes on and off as well as all other dash lights flickering as the radio turned off and the power steering goes out.

- Englewood, OH, USA

problem #10

Mar 202014

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
March 2014 we had a airbag warning light come on and a warning on the odometer screen as well so we took it in to GMC weatherford tx and reported it but they said it would be $125 to just check it. Well we didn't and don't have the $125 to check it and then maybe not be fixed and we don't have it now. After this last airbag recall I have to wonder if it should have included my 2011 GMC Terrain. The light and alarm still goes off so it is very scary. Is there a way that this can be checked without cost?

- Weatherford, TX, USA

problem #9

Mar 012012

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 22,000 miles
I started taking my 2011 GMC Terrain into the dealership where I bought it from when my airbag warning light started randomly coming on and off as I was driving. It was under warranty at that time and they would get it to go off for a day... but then it would come back on. One time I took it in, and the lady looked and said that it was nothing and to continue to drive it until they could get to it in a few weeks because they were backed up. When I took it in...my mileage was 100 miles till my warranty was out...they again... stated that it was something that I was doing and released it back to me. It now remains on constantly... and all of these recalls are happening with airbags going off or not going off! I am scared to death to drive my car, but I have no other choice. I am still making payments on this vehicle that is a potential hazard to myself and my family! the dealership said that they can see if they can get a code from scanning it for $100 plus whatever is wrong with it. This problem has been going on way too long for me to have to be out of pocket any money! they should be paying me for all of this mess! please help me!!!

- San Angelo, TX, USA

problem #8

Jul 192014

Terrain

  • 23,500 miles
I had a airbag warning indication. I took the SUV to GMC and they indicated the issue is in the seat, as the individual sit in the seat it flexes the cannon plug with cause the airbag system to disable, and send a warning. They indicated they could not correct the issue without deviating due to safety concerns and they asked me to contact ntsb to indicate the safety issue.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #7

Jun 292011

Terrain 6-cyl

  • 18,380 miles
I was on the interstate in cincinnati, Ohio when a deer crossed over the jersey wall onto the roadway as I was just beginning to exit. I hit the deer at a minimum speed of 45-50mph. My airbag did not deploy. Although I was unharmed I am concerned about the failure of the airbag to deploy given my speed and front impact. My vehicle has also recently had an intermittent issue with sudden loss of power that has been attributed to the stability control system. Given the recent rash of incidents surrounding GMC vehicles and the lack of recalls on the Terrain vehicle, I am reporting these incidents at this time as I am concerned that they may be indicative of broader problem with the Terrain model of vehicle.

- Union, KY, USA

problem #6

Jun 212011

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 24,185 miles
I was going to a 930 am doctor appt@the cancer clinic, with my husband & father as passengers. I was in the left turn lane northbound attempting to turn into the hospital. It was 910 am. There was a lg. Delivery truck opposite me in the southbound left turn lane. As I pulled in the southbound lane, easing forward to ensure clearance the other car behind the delivery truck pulled out and around the truck and sped up to go through the intersection to make the lightthat was amber at this point. My father said that her head was down and she didn't look up until just before impact. There were no skid marks & the impact was high on the pass. Side of my vehicle rocking us up onto 2 wheels on the drivers side & then back down on all 4. my vehicle was T-boned on the front passenger side. The lady came out from behind the delivery truck at the last second, changed lanes & proceeded into the intersection at the same time I was trying to turn left. At this point the light was yellow. I have, I do believe 8 air bags, with 8 sensors in the Terrain's. also I have a full subscription to onstar which also has crash sensors in my car. * one air bag went off nor did any sensors**. onstar did not call me after the crash to tell me that they would be sending help, ambulance, police etc. My injuries were: Contusion to left side of head above ear. Scalp wound above right ear, with permanent indentation to right side of my head,2 small cuts right side of forehead. Black eyes. Pain in neck & stiffness. Right eye socket @ eye brow swollen. Husband: Seatbelt bruising, neck pain/stiffness. My father, neck pain, stiffness, scraped skin on instep of right foot. This formal complaint is with General Motors, GMC Terrain, & onstar for not 1 airbag having not gone off/deployed, nor did onstar make any effort to contact me. I contacted both GM & onstar & they did nothing to compensate me.

- Waynesville, OH, USA

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